Employers

At Arbutus, we offer an affordable yet professional and certified range of testing and monitoring programs in the Kamloops region to support the successful re-entry of individuals who have experienced a substance use issue and are ready to return to work. We believe substance use can be managed through a commitment to sobriety and through accessing appropriate recovery programs and services. A professional monitoring program like Arbutus provides a level of comfort and assurance of safety for both the employee and the employer. A monitoring program eliminates the doubt associated with a return to work plan for someone who has experienced a substance use issue. Our program supports the successful re-entry for the employee who recognizes he or she is likely to be faced with a risk of relapse. The employer will know that our monitoring program is there to support them to be accountable through our clinically trained staff and strict compliance program. Our services start with a thorough assessment of the needs of the employer and employee. Upon referral and intake into Arbutus, employees are informed of their rights and responsibilities in participating in the program. They are provided with these expectations in writing and are supported by offering information about accessing to local recovery and counselling services. A formal Recovery Management Agreement is then signed between the client and Arbutus Work Solutions.

An Employer can simply call or email Arbutus to look for answers regarding substance use issues within the workplace. It is a confidential service and our efforts are to support the overall health and wellbeing of employees/professionals and a safe and efficient workplace.

HOW IT WORKS

Employees/Professionals rarely intend on finding themselves with a substance use issue impacting their workplace and career. Whether it was a situational crisis that led to poor choices or more commonly, years of misuse of substances that caused the behaviour to become apparent and problematic, substance use in the workplace compromises the safety of staff, clients/patients, and impacts productivity. For many workplaces that are safety sensitive or involve client/patient care such as nursing, medical services, transportation, or equipment operation, the presence of a substance use issue within the organization can compromise the entire success and future of the company or institution. It is a complex process for managers and directors to follow when an employee or professional has been found to have a substance use issue. In cases where the problem has been exposed without damage having been done to a client/patient, the workplace, or the environment, an opportunity to intervene is available to an employer before further damage is done. Early detection and intervention is critical for the safety and ongoing success of the workplace. In the event of an incident where substance use is likely and an accident or harm has been done, taking a decisive and swift response is a vital first step. Arbutus can help by helping the employer follow Employment Standard guidelines and work with other invested stakeholders such as Unions, Certification boards, and governing bodies. We help to find the right strategy to support a valuable employee/professional relationship and protect the interests and safety of the client/patient/customer and the organization itself. Should the employee/professional acknowledge through disclosure or through a critical incident screening process that they in fact have a substance use issue, the employer usually arranges an assessment or Independent Medical Examination (IME) of the employee’s possible substance use by a qualified addiction medicine specialist. From this consultation and review, an effective and appropriate treatment plan can be developed. In cases where a monitoring program is deemed necessary the required strategy for an individual who has not been identified to be experiencing a substance use disorder but was simply an early indicator of concern, Arbutus will offer the employer and employee/professional a range of monitoring options. Arbutus will offer the employer and employee/professional a range of monitoring options and develop a back to work plan to ensure adherence to the established goals and expectations outlined in the Recovery Management Agreement.

RECOVERY MANAGEMENT/REPORTING REQUIREMENT AGREEMENT OVERVIEW

Arbutus Work Solutions has developed an accountable and detailed recovery management agreement and reporting requirement agreement signed between the employee/professional, the primary care provider, and Arbutus staff. These agreements act as the contract for sobriety and safety to help ensure a successful return to work for employees/professionals who have experienced a substance use issue that has impacted their career and employment. Employers can rest assured that employees who agree to participate have committed to working with Arbutus to ensure a successful return to work.

Recovery Management Agreement Template (Word)

Reporting Requirement Agreement Template (Word)